More of 2016 presidential debate

Poe to appoint ‘traffic terminator’
Independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe said she will appoint a “traffic terminator” whose sole responsibility is to ensure that all transport-related infrastructure projects of the government get completed on time.

Addressing the country’s worsening traffic problem, particularly in Metro Manila, Poe said in a presidential debate on Sunday there are infrastructure projects underway but the only way to speed up their completion is to have somebody with a position of secretary who will make sure delays are resolved right away.

The person who will be appointed to the position needs to have expertise in engineering and traffic management, she said.

For a long-term solution to traffic, Poe said her government will consider construction of new railway systems and even subways in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA

Duterte: No silver bullet vs traffic
For Davao City Mayor and presidential survey frontrunner Rodrigo Duterte, there is no silver bullet that could solve the traffic crisis in the country.

Speaking at the third and final presidential debate in Dagupan, Pangasinan on Sunday, Duterte said if elected president, he would need about a year to improve the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems.

“There is no silver bullet or magic to solve the traffic problem now,” Duterte said. “I will take a year, or two, to improve LRT and MRT and build new railways.”

He also “borrowed” the proposal of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago to build new railways, particularly along Pasig River, so that the government would not need to buy any “right of way” from the public. CATHERINE VALENTE

Binay to split DOTC; unit to focus on traffic
Vice President Jejomar Binay said he plans to split the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) if elected president to create a full-time agency that will focus solely on decongesting Metro Manila traffic.

“Ang ilalagay ko po diyan ay isang competent na may kakayahang mamuno diyan sa problema ng trapiko [I will assign someone competent, who has the capability to lead in resolving the traffic problem],” he told audiences of a televised presidential debate on Sunday.

“Balak ko hong paghatiin yung DOTC, yung magkakaroon ng Department of Transportation at meron po namang Department of Communications,” [I plan split it into a Department of Transportation and a Department of Communications.], he said.

Binay has once served as a Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman. REINA TOLENTINO

Roxas vows prosperous PH by 2022
Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd vowed prosperity for Filipinos by the end of his term if he is elected President this May.

Roxas has promised to address unemployment across all sectors, as well as permanent aid for fishermen, making a reference to those harassed by Chinese poachers in coastal waters within what the Philippines considers its Exclusive Economic Zone in the West.

“By 2022, we will have 10 million more jobs in factories, call centers, construction due to tourism [investments]. Ang krimen malulutas sa batas, hindi dahas (Crimes will be solved in accordance with the law, not violence),” Roxas said during the final presidential debate here, clearly taking a dig at Duterte’s promise of eradicating crimes in the country within six months. LLANESCA PANTI

1 Comment

Presently, crime CANNOT be solved in accordance with the law, and ROXAS shouldn’t be very naive on this issue, because drug smugglers, drug manufacturers, kidnap for ransom, just to name few, are beyond rehabilitation. Death penalty is the only tool that can mitigate and can protect the citizen of this great nation, inhabited by GOD FEARING people.

Pumping huge money into the economy, such as building infrastructures will create jobs and stimulate the economy as well. Improving or upgrading Telecommunication infrastructures, to increase internet access is another area that needs improvement. Building schools and more hospitals are great investments for the government and people will feel that their government is taking care of them.

Alleviate the traffic problems? In Big Cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, have constructed a lot of “overpass”, a lot of “one way streets” and underground railways and train stations. The only way a government leaders can implement changes in their government is to have “HONEST” elected or appointed officials. There should be a law that make corrupt officials to spend mandatory jail time, when convicted by crimes they committed.

But then again, in the Philippines, heinous crimes can be committed and criminals or guilty parties can get away by making huge compensations or deals with the Judges. The bottom line is this– We Filipinos are very unique in so many ways with the rest of the world. Good or bad, it’s Pinoy Style.